Peanut Scare
 

I went over to my friends house yesterday, she has a yorkie/pom that is pnuts best buddy. Todd. Well I threw a toy for them and they both ran to go get it. They ran over the kitchen rug, the rug flipped up and I think Pnut tripped. As soon as this happened Pnut stopped and lifted his leg. I picked him up and took him upstairs to show my friend, his whole leg was limp, he wasn't putting any pressure on it. I was so scared! I was rubbing his leg and he wasn't crying or showing pain, but he still had it up.

Maybe 10 seconds he put his leg back down, and started walking! I am not sure what happened. He does have LP in both knees, I'm not sure if that had something to do with it... I have him on bed rest today- we are going to my in-laws and I would usually take him, but I think its best if he lays around today!

He hasn't limped today. I don't know if I should take him in to the vet or see how he does... Thoughts??

Hope he is ok, glad he isn't limping today:)

I don't know, either, but it could have been the LP and it popped out. I hope he will be ok.

Thanks ladies- I felt so bad leaving him this morning, but I know him laying around and resting is best!

I've had Harley go through many bumps and trips like that usually resulting in a cry of bloody murder. While we really want to coddle them, in situations like this to prevent them from learning that crying gets cuddles (and abusing that) or getting scared of things, my solution is this.

If I hear a screetch like he hurt himself, I immediately play a game of chase, where I run ahead about 10ft and turn around and watch his gait. You'll be able to see immediately if something is wrong, in which point after about 5-10 steps if the limp isn't dissipating you'll want to investigate further. If the limp stops and the pooch is happy (which thankfully happens most times) you've just made them play a game and completely forget about their woes.

I learned to do this after I was practicing the "Race to reward" game with him to build his drive, and well while we were racing towards the toy I accidentally kicked him. He sobbed for about 2 hours and I let him, it took me a good week to get him to run after that toy again, and after thorough checking I knew nothing was wrong. The quicker you can get them to forget about the "ouchie" the better.

Glad he's ok though. It is scary... if you see further limping, because there is an existing issue I'd go to the vet, but just know that normal dogs cry like that when they trip over things too, so unless you see further troubles I wouldn't worry.

Aw poor baby. My Coco does that sometimes. I is just so scary. My Coco limped for like 3 days. Of course I had him to the vet the next morning. All was well though. Sometimes they are just so quick. They land on it wrong and sprain it, or twist it funny.

Great to hear that he is better now. Boy they can make us nuts sometimes!!!

Poor little angel! I hope he is ok!

Your thread title scared me! Poor Peanut! I know how they can scare you. It sounds like it went right back into place.

Jackson did this a few weeks ago, he was running out of the door so fast off my dads deck and I saw him miss a step real quick - he came in and it looked like he was carrying his leg, but it was literally for all of 5 seconds. But I kept watching him for the next hour to make sure! LoL. But he doesn't have LP, so I am sure it would have made me more scared if he did. He was just checked 2 weeks ago again all over and his legs are perfect the vet says!

Poor Peanut! Zoe's worried about her buddy!
Our dog Cooper did that several times before he finally needed surgery on a luxating patella. As time went on, it started to hurt when he held his leg up like you describe. That's when the vet said he was ready for surgery. He had it, and all went well. He still favors the leg a bit, but it really worked.
Hope Peanut's espisode was just a fluke!
:love: from Zoe and Jen

That's great Jackson's knees are in good health. It is hard dealing with the LP- I know we will have to do surgery on it soon...

Aw Pnut loves his buddy Zoe! He is doing better today. This cold weather does not help his little knees! I know the surgery is near for us, that terrifies me!

Glad to hear that the little man is feeling better.

Well I think we are going to take him in either today or tomorrow. He has be limping and holding his leg up off and on :/ I'm so upset my poor baby-

You can never go wrong by taking him in to see the vet. Best of luck.

Sorry :( I'll be thinking of Pnut tomorrow!!

Lifting for a few seconds isn't a huge deal, esp. if they have LP. That's just one of the symptoms. If it continues or doesn't go away, there are other things that need to be ruled out.

Like what? I knw I'm not a vet but its the same limp he does when his knee acts up. I know its colder and due to that his lp is worse. I ordered him the Cosequin again- he was on that about 2 yrs ago and it really helped his LP, he only lifted 90% of the time!

How many times a week was he lifting if before the other day?

It's still most likely LP if he's lifting it the same, just more often. But sudden onset of them doing it all the time - fractures, toe issues, nail issues, paw issues, pulled muscles, and CCL tear need to be ruled in/out. Pups with LP are at higher risk of tearing their cruciate ligament. If he is limping pretty consistently now and wasn't before he tripped, that's something a vet needs to feel for. And depending on what the problem is, he may benefit from pain meds.

If he is having increased difficulty with it, he should be seen. Often the vets will prescribe and anti inflammatory like Metacam or Rimadyl for a couple of weeks.